Full floating fluid pressure operated batch gate for a dumpable body



April 17, 1962 Filed Oct. 10, 1960 L S. FlTE FULL FLOATING ELUID PRESSURE OPERATED BATCH GATE FOR A DUMPABLE BODY Luther 8. Fife and W 5.

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 40132 Attorneys Apnl 17, 1962 s. FlTE 3,030,139

FULL FLOATING FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED BATCH GATE FOR A DUMPABLE BODY Filed Oct. 10, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Luther 5. Fife INVENTOR.

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United States Patent Office Efiddddll Patented Apr. 17, 1962 3,ll3il,l39 FULL FLQATRNG FLUKE PRESSURE UE ERATL' EATtIl-l GATE FER A DUMPABLE BGDY Luther S. Fite, Natchez Steel Products Can, 202 Kelly Ave, Natchez, Miss. Filed @ct. ill, 196d, der. No. 61,448 '7 (Ilaims. Cl. 296-44) The present invention generally relates to a new and improved batch gate construction for incorporation into a dumpable body and more particularly relates to a full floating fluid pressure operated batch gate.

Presently, batch gates are being employed to divide the load carrying space of the dump body of a truck type vehicle and this permits the dumping of only a portion of the load at a particular time. Batch gates are used quite extensively by those engaged in the laying of pavements, constructing buildings and the like and especially where dry materials are hauled to the job where they are to be subsequently mixed and poured. There are several different types of batch gates presently being employed and the most common batch gate is that type hinged at the top of the body together with some type of latch mechanism for engaging the lower edge of the gate whereby the gate may be selectively engaged with the latch mechanism for retaining the gate in vertical position transversely of the load carrying body. Some presently available batch gates employ a cam mechanism for lifting the batch gates slightly vertically to allow the lower edge thereof to pass over blocks or abutments formed in the bottom of the load carrying body. Others have the gates suspended pivotally from the top of the body and have retractable latches extending upwardly through the bottom of the body in order to release the gate. The trip mechanisms are operable either manually, hydraulically, pneumatically or the like. Another type of batch gate currently being marketed employs vertical guides to hold the gate in a vertical position in the body with the gates being raised vertically by fluid pressure operated devices.

Since sand, gravel and cement comprise the loads being hauled, the presently available batch gates have a tendency to become hung on gravel which gets lodged between the side walls of the bodies and the end edges of the swingable gates. This prevents the gravity operated gate from closing properly. In the arrangement which employs latches extending upwardly from underneath the body, the sand tends to clog the latches so that they do not function properly. In the type of batch gate raised vertically in vertical guides, the gates tend to become fouled at one end edge or the other so that they cannot be closed without the removal of the sand or gravel from the guide mechanism which effectively blocks movement of the gates.

Recognizing the problems existent in present day batch gates and having experienced the above mentioned dificulties, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a batch gate which is full floating in relation to the load body and which moves vertically upwardly and swings rearwardly at the same time, the batch gate being operated by a fluid pressure piston and cylinder arrangement.

In the previously known device having vertically slidable batch gates, the batch gate remains in perpendicular relation to the bottom and side walls of the body which quite often will cause a tunnelling elfect and the material, especially if partially damp, will bridge the opening between the batch gate and the body thus preventing discharge of the material disposed forwardly of the batch gate. Therefore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a batch gate which not only moves vertically but has the lower end swung rearwardly so that the material forwardly of the batch gate will not bridge the opening formed between the batch gate and the load body.

Another objection to conventional batch gate structures is the fact that the batch gates are semi-permanently attached to the load carrying body thus preventing conversion of the load carrying body to an unobstructed body Without considerable time delay. Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a batch gate assembly and operating mechanism therefor all of which are attached to a removable channel disposed along the top edges of the side walls of the load carrying body so that the entire assembly may be easily removed and replaced thereby permitting the load carrying body to be used for the undivided full load hauling when desired thus rendering the vehicle more versatile.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a batch gate assembly which is quite simple in construction, easy to install, efiicient in operation, rugged, long lasting and dependable and generally inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of a dump body vehicle with the batch gate assembly of the present invention installed therein;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 22 of FIGURE. 1 illustrating the details of construction of the batch plate and the relationship thereof to the body;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-4? of FIGURE 2 illustrating further structural details of the batch gate assembly illustrating the batch gate in different positions of opening; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the batch plate and the operating and supporting mechanism associated therewith.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 1% generally designates the batch plate of the present invention which is installed in the load carrying body 12 of a trucletype vehicle generally designated by numeral '14. The Vehicle 14 includes the usual front steerable wheels 16, rear driving wheels 18, supporting frame as, control cab 22 and other conventional ele ments normally found on a dump body vehicle. The load body 12 is dumpable by virtue of suitable hydraulic or equivalent hoist for raising and lowering the front end of the dumpable body 12. The rear end of the dumpable body 12 is provided with the usual tailgate 24- pivotally attached to the body 12 at the top end by pivot pin 26 and releasably retained in position at the lower end thereof in a conventional manner.

The load carrying body 1.2 is provided with the usual bottom 28, side walls 3i) and front wall 32 all of which cooperate with the tailgate 24 to form an open top load carrying body. Along the bottom of the body and longitudinally thereof, there is provided a horizontal ledge 34 in opposition to a top ledge 56 which is also horizontal and longitudinally extending. The ledges 34 and 36 are interconnected by reinforcements 38 all of which represents conventional structure. The front wall 32 and also the rear edge of the side walls are provided with upwardly opening sockets formed by spaced vertical plates 40 which are adapted to receive sideboards or the like for increasing the capacity of the body 12.

The present invention utilizes the sockets formed by the spaced plates 3% for detachably receiving a longitudinal channel-shaped member 42. The channel-shaped member 42 is disposed at each side of the body and forms a support for a plurality of batch gates 10. Normally, there are three batch gates in a vehicle dump body of a capacity of ten yards although the number of batch gates may vary depending upon the particular needs of each individual user. Inasmuch as all three batch gates are the same, one of the batch gates will be described in detail.

Each batch gate 10 includes a rectangular rigid plate 44 extending substantially throughout the transverse cross-section of the body and having a pin 46 extending outwardly from each upper corner thereof. The lower rear surface of the plate 44 is provided with a pair of lugs 48 extending therefrom with the lugs being disposed adjacent the side edges of the plate 44.. Pivotally attached to each lug 48 is an arm or link 50 pivoted thereto by virtue of a pivot bolt or pin 52. The rear end of the arm or link 5% is pivotally attached to a vertical lug 54 by virtue of a hinge pin or hinge bolt 56. The lug 54 is mounted on the side wall by any suitable means and the lug 54 spaces the arm one and onehalf inches from the body wall 30 to assure flow of gravel freely past the arm.

The pins 46 are pivotally connected to forwardly extending arms 58, one at either side edge of the plate 48. The forward ends of the arms 54 are pivotally received between upstanding brackets or plates 60 by virtue of pivot bolts 62. The brackets or plates 60 are rigidly aflixed to the channel-shaped member 42 as by welding or the like.

Also connected to each of the pins 46 is a link 64 which is retained on the pin 46 by a suitable retainer such as a cotter key 66 or the like. The lower end of the link 64 is connected to a U-shaped yoke 68 on the upper end of the piston rod 70 by a suitable retaining cotter pin or the like. The piston rod 70 is the extensible element of a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly 72 of the double-acting type and which is preferably pneumatically operated. The lower end of the cylinder 74 is pivotally attached to a mounting bracket 76 by virtue of a pivot pin 78. The mounting bracket 76 is rigidly afiixed to the horizontal ledge 36 forming a part of the vehicle body.

For assuring simultaneous movement of both edges of the plate 44, the pins 46 are actually extensions of a continuous torque bar extending from one edge of the plate 44 to the other. Also, the fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly 72 has conduits 80 connected to the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 74 whereby the piston rod may be power operated upwardly and downwardly for powering the batch gate to an up permost position and to a lowermost position. The conduits 80 are connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure such as a pneumatic air line and valve means is provided for controlling the batch gates individually from the cab of the vehicle or from any other suitable accessible area on the vehicle. The particular details of the valve control mechanism, air compressor and air supply lines are not shown since each individual installation will be adapted to conform to the configuration of the vehicle body and other structural features of the vehicle.

In FIGURE 3, the three positions of the batch gate are illustrated with the forwardmost batch plate being in the fully closed or vertical position. In the position of the second batch gate, air has been applied and the cylinders on either side of the body are begininning to raise the gate. Note that as the gate is raised vertically, the combined arms and 58 serve to displace the gate upwardly and at the same time move the lower edge thereof rearwardly. The upper edge of the gate also moves forwardly and the piston and cylinder assembly pivots forwardly along with the top edge of the gate. The position of the rearmost gate illustrates the full elevated or open position and it is pointed out that the angle of the gate in position number 3 achieves all of the advantages of the swing-type gate plus the advantage of moving the gate vertically upwardly out of the material being discharged thus enabling freer discharge of the material with no pivoted gate swinging against the material during discharge.

Inasmuca as the gates are not rigidly attached to the body since they are suspended by the arms 53 and 50, the gate can shift from side-to-sidc approximately one half inch which permits the gate to roll out any gravel that may have become lodged between the end edges of the gate and the side walls of the body. Thus, the body cleans itself as well as or better than the swinging type batch gate and the double-acting piston and cylinder assemblies positively drive the gates back down into closed position.

When it is desired to convert the load body 12 to haul a full load, it is only necessary to disconnect the piston and cylinder assemblies 72 from links 64 by removing the pins which connect the links 64 to sockets 63 which retain the links in rigid alignment with the piston rods 79 and also disconnecting the arms 5: by removing pivot bolt or pin 56. This enables the entire assembly to be lifted out of the load body so that the load body will be substantially unobstructed except for the lugs 54. The assembly that will be lifted includes the channel-shaped members 42, the bracket plate 69, arms 58, plate 44 and arms 50. This enables quick replacement of the assembly onto the vehicle body when the batch gates are desired. Further, this assembly is easily installed initially in the load carrying body with very little modification to the body since it is only necessary to attach the lugs 54 and the brackets 76 and orientate the fluid supply lines thereon. In some installations, it is necessary to cut a hole or notch such as 35 in the upper ledge 36 for permitting passage of the piston rod 79. This also serves to retain the piston and cylinder assembly 72 in position it they are left in place when the body has been converted to full load condition. The holes 35 are sufiicient in length to enable pivotal movement of the assembly 72 without inter erence.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A batch gate for a dumpable load carrying body comprising a plate adapted to extend transversely of the body substantially throughout the transverse interior thereof for dividing the interior of the body into compartments, a pair of spaced longitudinally extending arms pivotally interconnecting the lower edge of the plate and the body adjacent the bottom thereof, a pair of spaced longitudinally extending arms pivotally interconnecting the upper edge portion of the plate with the body adjacent the upper edge thereof, and means interconnecting the plate and body for forcing the plate upwardly whereby the plate will move in an arcuate path defined by the pivot centers of the arms.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the lower arms extend rearwardly and the upper arms extend forwardly of the body whereby the upper edge of the plate will move upwardly and forwardly and the bottom edge of the plate will move upwardly and rearwardly thus elevating the lower edge of the plate and angulating the plate in relation to the vehicle body for discharge of the material disposed forwardly of the plate.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said means interconnecting the plate and the body includes a pair of fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder arrangements with one arrangement disposed at each end of the plate for simultaneously raising and lowering both ends of the plate, said arrangements being double-acting for positively elevating and lowering the plates.

, 4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said arms fioatingly support said plate in relation to the vehicle body to permit limited relative movement therebetween for preventing jamming of the plates.

5. In combination with a vehicle body, a plurality of batch gates, each batch gate including a plate, a pair of arms pivotally attached to the rear surface of the plates adjacent the outer and lower edges thereof, the rear ends of the arms being pivotally attached to the body, a pair of forwardly extending arms pivotally attached to the upper corners of the plates and having the forward ends thereof pivotally attached to the body thereby supporting the plate for full floating movement in the body to prevent jamming of material between the edges of the plate and the body during elevational changes of the plate in the body, and means interconnecting the plate and body for changing the elevational relation between the body and plate.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said interconnecting means includes a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly disposed exteriorly of the load carrying interior of the body and connected with the upper edge portion of the plate.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said body includes a pair of longitudinally extending members removably mounted on the top side edges of the body, the forwardly extending arms being pivotally connected to said member whereby all of the plates and longitudinal members may be removed as an assembly by disconnecting the rearwardly extending arms and the means for changing the elevation of the plate.

Shafer June 7, 1921 Kersey July 14, 1953 

